Monday, June 9, 2025

Breaking Barriers: Men's Health and Male Breast Cancer

Waiting room scene from Love, Danielle featuring Devin Sidell and Raymond Cruz

Men's Health Week begins today (June 9) and runs until June 15, 2025. Now is a great time to motivate yourself or the men you care about to prioritize regular checkups, understand their risk factors, and adopt or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

One of my favorite scenes in "Love, Danielle" features Stan, a male BRCA gene mutation carrier, portrayed by the talented Raymond Cruz. This character stands in stark contrast to Cruz's well-known role as Tuco in "Breaking Bad."

The film shifts the conversation about men's health and male breast cancer, working to reduce the stigma associated with these topics. The character Stan challenges traditional ideas of masculinity and encourages open discussions about men's health screenings. By presenting Stan as a relatable figure, the film humanizes the experience of male breast cancer and emphasizes that breast cancer affects men as well.

To learn more about male breast cancer and the implications of BRCA and hereditary cancer in men by visiting HIS Breast Cancer Awareness.

Love, Danielle is currently playing film festivals across the country.
Click here for a list of upcoming screenings.

Friday, May 23, 2025

2025 Film Screenings - LOVE, DANIELLE

LOVE, DANIELLE

Amid family drama and dysfunction, a woman who carries a BRCA gene mutation must decide whether or not to remove her breasts and ovaries to reduce her cancer risk.

Upcoming Screenings

NEVADA (Las Vegas) - Nevada Women’s Film Festival - Sunday, June 22nd @ 4:50pm at UNLV. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

ARKANSAS - Coming June 2025

MASSACHUSETTS - Coming July 2025

Past Screenings

NEBRASKA - Omaha Film Festival - Sunday, March 16 @ 11:45 AM at Aksarben Cinema. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

MARYLAND - Annapolis Film Festival - Saturday, March 29 @ 10:00am at Maryland Hall Bowen. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

NEW JERSEY - Garden State Film Festival - Sunday, March 30 @ 11:45 AM at Berkeley Kingsley. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

ARIZONA - Phoenix Film Festival - Friday, April 4 @ 4:10pm at Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

ARIZONA - Phoenix Film Festival - Saturday, April 5 @ 5:35pm at Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

ARIZONA - Phoenix Film Festival - Sunday, April 6 @ 11:55am at Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

IOWA - Julien Dubuque Film Festival - Thursday, April 24 @10:30am [FREE} Phoenix Theatre 1. RESERVE SPOT HERE.

TEXAS (Dallas) - USA Film Festival - Saturday, April 26 @ 4pm [FREE] at Angelika Film Center & Café. RESERVE SPOT HERE.

IOWA - Julien Dubuque Film Festival - Sunday, April 27 @ 5:30pm Phoenix Theatre 1. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

TEXAS (Houston) - WorldFest Houston Film Festival - Saturday, May 3 @ 6:30pm at Cinemark Memorial City. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.┅

WATCH THE TRAILER!

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day - Georgia Hurst

On this Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day, March 22nd, I'm happy to share that the fiercest LS advocate, Georgia Hurst, has returned on Substack! Stay updated on Lynch Syndrome News by following Georgia's latest insights and updates here: https://lynchsyndromenews.substack.com/

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

NEW RESOURCE

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has released a new resource aimed at helping individuals understand genetic testing and counseling for hereditary cancers. This patient-friendly guide provides essential information on identifying genetic mutations that increase cancer risk and details the latest recommendations from experts in the field of cancer genetics.

LINK: https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/genetics-patient.pdf

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 SPECIFIC

Saturday, December 28, 2024

END OF YEAR NEWSLETTER 2024

END OF YEAR NEWSLETTER
https://conta.cc/4iRYoF0

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

National Family Health History Day - November 28th

Gather and share details about any health conditions that may run in your family. Knowing this information can help you identify potential risks for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, giving you and your doctor a chance to plan for early screenings or preventive measures.

The Inherited Cancer Registry (ICARE) has amazing resources!

↪️ Download a helpful handout: https://lnkd.in/gC4cZ9Sv

↪️ If you've had genetic testing, use our resources to share results: https://lnkd.in/gAukjpUk

↪️ If you've already had genetic testing for inherited cancer and want more information about your results OR want information and guidance before getting tested, we provide free education and an inherited cancer risk assessment through our Tool for Inherited Cancer Predisposition Counseling and Testing Study (TIPS): https://redcap.link/TIPS

↪️ Find a certified genetics professional near you: https://lnkd.in/eA7d8HUw

Thursday, November 21, 2024

SHARSHERET event - November 20, 2024

Last night, I had the privilege of speaking to over 100 women at a powerful Sharsheret event in South Florida organized by Sara Trosty Walsh, LCSW. Whenever I speak, I aim to educate individuals about hereditary cancer in a way that makes them feel both comfortable and empowered to advocate for themselves with their healthcare. If someone is shy, I encourage them to bring a trusted, "pushy" friend with them to medical appointments. Sometimes individuals need a gentle reminder to honor themselves; that it's ok for them to ask hard questions, it's their right get a 2nd and/or 3rd opinion, and that it's absolutely ok for them to change doctors.

Sharsheret is a Hebrew word that means "chain". It symbolizes the connections that women, families, and communities form while facing breast and ovarian cancer.

Amy Byer Shainman @BRCAresponder, 11/20/24
Sharsheret Event South Florida

1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews – men and women – carries a BRCA gene mutation, more than 10x the rate of the general population, making Jewish families significantly more susceptible to hereditary cancer, which could include breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, melanoma or male breast cancer.

(from the

Sharsheret website)

Sharsheret’s free support and educational programs serve all women and men nationwide.

Get support at Sharsheret.org

BOOK REVIEW

Cancer Was Not a Gift & It Didn't Make Me a Better Person: A memoir about cancer as I know it by Nancy Stordahl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Raw, Honest, Authentic - MUST READ!
As a patient advocate for those with BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes, I personally appreciate Nancy's candor and complete transparency. Her writing is stellar; the book is captivating and on point. People who have a family history of cancer, BRCA gene mutation, or metastatic cancer diagnosis will absolutely appreciate the author's authenticity in this fantastic memoir. Must Read!

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW

A Cancer in the Family: Take Control of Your Genetic Inheritance by Theodora Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a BRCA/Hereditary Cancer Advocate I was excited to read Dr. Ross' book. While I thoroughly enjoyed it, part handbook, part memoir, it's definitely worth the purchase just for the index! Pages 201-266 list inherited cancer syndromes by name and associated gene. Lifetime cancer risks associated with each syndrome are also spelled out in addition to current risk management guidelines for both women and men.

Those interested in health and science would enjoy this book.
Medical students and ALL DOCTORS in ALL SPECIALTIES would benefit from reading this book.
@BRCAresponder

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW

Dangerous Boobies: Breaking Up with My Time-Bomb Breasts by Caitlin Brodnick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've never met comedian and author Caitlin Brodnick but I have heard her voice on her Screw You Cancer series: https://video.glamour.com/series/scre... Full disclosure: I also interviewed Caitlin via twitter for a blog post on this book: http://thebrcaresponder.blogspot.com/...

My favorite thing about "Dangerous Boobies" is its authentic voice; as I read it was as if Caitlin was reading it to me, in her sweet chirpy voice she writes like she talks raw, honest, fast, confident, sometimes insecure, often anxious, heartily reflective and mostly, "udderly" hysterical. Yup, that was me attempting channel my inner Caitlin.

As an advocate for those with BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes, I was excited to read Brodnick's book. I absolutely applaud anyone who is willing to be so open with their experience and Brodnick not only did this with her Screw You Cancer Series but with her book too. All was seemingly rosy as she was recovering in the last of her Screw You Cancer episodes, answering viewer questions. However, we learn in the book that all was not easy. Caitlin sheds light on tougher times post surgery, including struggling with serious depression.

I appreciate the places in the book where Brodnick gets statistics and information straight from the experts. Regarding genetic testing, I am thankful she says to see a genetic counselor and find out the facts. (I'm adding here that you can find a certified genetic counselor by phone or in person at: http://nsgc.org)

If you want to get a quick taste of Caitlin's humor and tone, just take a look at her chapter titles. My favorite one..."CANCER IS AN EMOTIONLESS BITCH WHO WILL RUIN YOUR BRUNCH PLANS"! Another chapter, TITTY TITTY BANG BANG: THE SEX PART, where she discusses having sex with her husband for the first time after surgery. The first sentence of that chapter is "Author's note: Dad and Grandpa, please skip to page 145." So perfect.

And, I cannot end this review without mentioning some stunning similarities I learned Caitlin and I have:

1. We both have the BRCA 1 5385insC mutation
2. We both have neurocardiogenic syncope
3. We both lost a close female relative at 33 years old
4. We both have Jewish fathers named Al
5. We both have moms that are hot shiksas
6. We both love writing, I'm writing my book now
7. We both have fair skin and reddish hair
8. We both have one leg shorter than the other

Very happy I ready this.
Very funny. Very real.
Very happy this is a resource I can recommend to others!
XO Amy @BRCAresponder

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BOOK REVIEW

Understanding BRCA: Living with the Breast Cancer Gene by Clarissa Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

FINALLY finished reading this Clarissa! As an advocate providing education, advocacy, and support surrounding BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes, I truly appreciate the time and effort that it took you to complete this amazing book/BRCA resource. Women and men in the UK will absolutely benefit from the all of the guidelines specific to the UK. Others will benefit from the information regarding BRCA mutations. I will be recommending this. Unbelievable glossary, appendix, resources, and index.

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